{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/traffic-signs-regulations-and-general-directions-2002/regulation-12",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/traffic-signs-regulations-and-general-directions-2002/regulation-12.json",
  "legislation": "uksi/2002/3113",
  "legislation_title": "The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/traffic-signs-regulations-and-general-directions-2002",
  "path": "regulation/12",
  "kind": "regulation",
  "number": "12",
  "heading": "Variations of dimensions",
  "text": "(1) Where any diagram in Schedules 1 to 12 specifies a dimension for an element of a sign together with a dimension for that element in brackets, the dimensions so specified shall, subject to paragraph (2), be alternatives.\n(2) Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), where alternative dimensions are specified for more than one element of a sign, the dimensions chosen for each element must correspond with one another so that the shape and proportions of the sign are, so far as reasonably practicable, as shown in the diagram.\n(3) Paragraph (2) does not apply to the road marking shown in diagram 1009 and the respective lengths of the lines comprised in that sign and of the gaps between them may be either—\n(a) 600 and 300 millimetres, in which case the width of the lines may be 100, 150 or 200 millimetres; or\n(b) 300 and 150 millimetres, in which case the width of the lines shall be 100 millimetres.\n(4) Paragraph (2) does not apply to the road markings shown in diagrams 1001.2, 1001.2A, 1013.3, 1013.4, 1040, 1040.2, 1040.4, 1041 and 1041.1.\n(5) Where any diagram in Schedules 1 to 12 specifies a maximum and a minimum dimension for an element of a sign, the dimension chosen for that element shall, subject to the footnote to Table 1, be not more than the maximum and not less than the minimum.\n(6) Where the maximum and minimum dimensions are specified for more than one element of a sign, the dimensions chosen for each element must (except in the case of diagrams 1003.4, 1028.2, 1028.3, 1028.4, 1032, 1033, 1043, 1044, 1045, 1050, 1055.1, 1055.2, 1066, 5001.1, 5001.2, 5003, 5003.1, 5005 and 5005.1) correspond with one another so that the shape and proportions of the sign are as shown in the diagram.\n(7) Where a sign shown in diagram 606, 607, 609, 610, 611, 611.1, 612, 613, 614, 616, 642 or 645 is placed temporarily on a road by a constable or a person acting under the instructions (whether general or specific) of the chief officer of police for the purposes of indicating a temporary statutory provision, any dimension in the diagram for the diameter of a roundel, or for the sign may be reduced so long as any dimension shown in the diagram for the diameter of a roundel or for the measurement horizontally of the sign is at least 200 millimetres, and the height of any lettering is at least 20 millimetres.\n(8) Where a sign shown in a diagram in Schedules 1 to 5 or Schedules 7 to 12 is varied in accordance with regulation 17, the shape, proportions and size of the sign shall be adjusted to the extent necessary to accommodate the variation.\n(9) Any sign shown in a diagram in Part III of Schedule 12 shall be of such dimensions as, having regard to the character of the road and the speed of traffic generally using it, are necessary to accommodate the route symbols or arrows appropriate to the number of traffic lanes and the nature of the road works in relation to which the sign is placed.\n(10) Any dimension (not being an angle or specified as a maximum or minimum) specified in these Regulations shall be treated as permitted by these Regulations if it is varied in accordance with the following Tables, subject, in the case of Tables 1, 2 and 3 to the Notes to those Tables.\nTable 1\nDiagrams in Schedules 1 to 5, 7, 10 and 12—Height of letters or numbers\n(1)\n(2)\n(3)\nItem\nDimensions shown in diagrams\nPermitted variations\nNOTE: Where the height of letters or numbers is expressed as a range within maximum and minimum dimensions the permitted variations indicated in this Table shall apply to those dimensions shown as the maximum and minimum.\n1.\n100 millimetres or more\nUp to 5% of the dimension\n2.\nLess than 100 millimetres\nUp to 7.5% of the dimension\nTable 2\nDiagrams in Schedule 6—All dimensions\n(1)\n(2)\n(3)\nItem\nDimensions shown in diagrams\nPermitted variations\nNOTE: Where a dimension denoting the length or width of a road marking is varied in accordance with this Table, and there is a space between two parts of the marking, the dimensions of that space may be varied as required to accommodate the variation of the length or width of the marking, provided that the character of the marking is maintained.\n1.\n3 metres or more\n(i) Up to 15% of the dimension where the varied dimension is greater than the specified dimension; or\n(ii) Up to 10% of the dimension where the varied dimension is less than the specified dimension\n2.\n300 millimetres or more, but less than 3 metres\n(i) Up to 20% of the dimension where the varied dimension is greater than the specified dimension; or\n(ii) Up to 10% of the dimension where the varied dimension is less than the specified dimension\n3.\n50 millimetres or more but less than 300 millimetres\n(i) Up to 30% of the dimension where the varied dimension is greater than the specified dimension; or\n(ii) Up to 10% of the dimension where the varied dimension is less than the specified dimension\nTable 3\nDiagrams in Schedules 8 and 9\n(1)\n(2)\n(3)\nItem\nDimension shown in diagrams\nPermitted variation\nNOTE: Where the dimensions of a signal which displays an arrow or symbol are varied in accordance with this table, the dimensions chosen for the arrow or symbol must be such as to maintain the shape and proportions shown in the diagram in which the signal is shown.\n1.\n200 millimetres\n(i) up to 10% of the dimension where the varied dimension is greater than the specified dimension\n(ii) up to 2.5% of the dimension where the varied dimension is less than the specified dimension\nTable 4\nAll dimensions other than those in Tables 1, 2 and 3\n(1)\n(2)\n(3)\nItem\nDimensions shown in diagrams\nPermitted variations\n1.\n300 millimetres or more\nUp to 5% of the dimension\n2.\n50 millimetres or more, but less than 300 millimetres\nUp to 7.5% of the dimension\n3.\nLess than 50 millimetres\nUp to 10% of the dimension\n(11) Any variation of any angle specified in any diagram in Schedule 1, 6 or 8, except diagrams 1043 and 1044, shall be treated as permitted by these Regulations if the variation does not exceed 5 degrees.\n(12) Where—\n(a) overall dimensions are given for a sign shown in any diagram in the Schedules to these Regulations; and\n(b) the legend on that sign is varied in accordance with regulation 17 and with item 4 of the table appearing under or beside that diagram,\nthe overall dimensions or the number of lines filled by the legend, or both, may be varied so far as necessary to give effect to the variation of the legend.",
  "extent": "E+W+S",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F1",
      "text": "Pt. 1 revoked (22.4.2016) by The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 (S.I. 2016/362), reg. 1(1)(b), Sch. 19 Pt. 1 (with regs. 4, 14, 15)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F2",
      "text": "Word in reg. 12(4) inserted (30.1.2012) by The Traffic Signs (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations and General Directions 2011 (S.I. 2011/3041), regs. 1(1)(c), 6 (with regs. 35, 36)"
    },
    {
      "type": "I",
      "label": "I1",
      "text": "Reg. 12 in force at 31.1.2003, see reg. 1(b)"
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2002/3113/regulation/12",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T06:35:51.675498+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}